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Sokumen jodan uchi-uke doji ni
sokumen gedan-barai.
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Something I rediscovered recently, but on a more in-depth level, was `directing power’ when moving in
the various tachikata (stances); that is, how the weight is projected in
techniques.
In particular, this relates to the width
and length of stances in direct relation to techniques: for example, movements
38-41 of Jion. In all four of these movements if the zenkutsu-dachi (front
stance) is even slightly too wide one’s energy will partially go to the side
(as opposed to being fully projected forward). This is easier to feel, and
correct, in the two jun-zuki but can subtly go under the radar, and is more
challenging, when turning with the two uchi-uke. Quite simply, this is because
the “sideward energy” applied in the uchi-uke (going from inside-outward);
furthermore, the use of hanmi (the half-facing position) and zenmi/shomen (the
front-on/squared position) respectively.
While all of this is plain, and very easy
to understand in text, it requires diligent practice. Why? Because one must
physically/subconsciously understand, and maximise, how their stances and
movements optimise the various techniques of karate-do (especially in correlation with unsoku/leg movements). This starts from the
straight line (choku-zuki, mae-geri etc) and runs a full course to the
full-circle (kaiten-waza/ tenshin); subsequently, the added
impetus/possibilities/combinations of raising and lowering the body are added
to the equation.
Taken as a whole, as Nakayama Shuseki-Shihan stated, karate-do masters
all of the possible bodily movements for potential offense and defence. Subsequently,
effective application of technique can
easily come from this baseline approach in training. Last but not least, knowing
is not enough in Karate-Do. Only by having “…the ability to express knowledge
within one’s physical technique” is knowledge useful for the karateka. Osu, André.
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A
snow covered view of Aso-San from my apartment. The volcanic steam, rising out
of the crater, is hidden by clouds.
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© André Bertel. Aso-shi,
Kumamoto-ken, Japan (2014).
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